Talk:Khmer Dynasty of Kampuchea (6th – 16th century CE)

By Vishal Agarwal

The Khmer empire ruled in modern Kampuchea from the 6th–16th century CE. They were successful because they dominated the sea trade between Asia and China, and could grow a lot of food because of their advanced methods of rice cultivation. At their capital, Khmer rulers built the largest and most famous Hindu temple complex called Aṅgkor Vāṭa in the 12th century.

The temples are surrounded by a moat which is more than 3 miles in length! The temple has carvings showing scenes from Hindu scriptures like the Rāmāyaṇa. The temples were started by King Sūryavarman II in the 12th century CE. The kings after him constructed more temples.

After a few centuries, the kings and the people of the region became Buddhists. Invasions from neighboring kingdoms like Thailand also destroyed the power of the Khmer empire. The Aṅgkor Vāṭa temple was abandoned and a jungle grew around it. It was only in the last two centuries that explorers brought attention to this largest place of worship (a Hindu temple) in the world. Archaeologists are now working to restore these temples, and many tourists from all over the world visit them every year.